Written By: Ryan Patota

Image Courtesy Rich Storry/Getty Images

Less than two years ago, Cam Smith was a freshman at Florida State University and on Tuesday, he was told he would make the Houston Astros Opening Day roster. Drafted by the Cubs in 2024 and traded in the Kyle Tucker deal over the offseason, Smith’s journey has been a whirlwind and his family has been there the entire time.

Smith began his collegiate career at Florida State in 2023, where he posted a .258 batting average with 12 home runs and 36 RBI over 51 games. The impressive performance continued in the Cape Cod Baseball League that summer where he hit .341 in 44 games with six homers, earning him a Cape Cod All-Star nod and the Outstanding Pro Prospect award.​

In the 2024 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected Smith with the 14th overall pick. He spent time between Single-A Myrtle Beach, High-A South Bend, and Double-A Tennessee with a .313 batting average, seven home runs, and 24 RBI across 32 games throughout the minors.

Not even eight months after being drafted into the league, Smith got traded to Houston. It was a fresh new start for Smith and the team. The Astros lost Yusei Kikuchi, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker, and the Astros knew they needed to get younger and look toward the future.

Smith entered Spring Training where he continued to spark eye-opening performances by hitting .342 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 15 games. A new start meant a new position for Smith, who transitioned from third base to right field. Despite limited experience in the outfield, he has demonstrated to adapt. Manager Joe Espada praised Smith’s work ethic and potential for continued improvement. 

“He’s put himself in a really good position, and we’ll continue to evaluate him,” Espada said last week.

After having a productive Spring Training, Cam Smith earned his opportunity on the Opening Day roster. How that news was made to him was his family coming in to surprise Smith to give him the news. When he realized what was happening, Smith immediately broke down in tears. His mom was the one to tell him.

“At one point in my life, it was just me and her in the house, and she struggled to take me to baseball games and practice,” he said while holding back tears. “I’m just happy to do it for her.”

Smith is the third fastest player to ever make it to the MLB, playing in just 32 minor league games. He is the first player of the 2024 draft class to reach the MLB. During his debut in Houston on Thursday, Smith will wear #11 and is expected to start in right field. With his family in the crowd, what is next for the young star as he begins the path to greatness? Only time will tell the success of Smith in the majors, but with the love and support he’s received, it’s only a matter of time where the name Cam Smith is known by all.